During the first Boardroom Dinner of 2027, we will welcome Tom Middendorp, former Chief of Defence of the Netherlands and international advisor at the intersection of climate, geopolitics, security and strategic leadership. Drawing on his extensive international experience, he will offer a sharp perspective on the forces reshaping the world order and the growing interconnectedness of climate security, geopolitics and resilience.
CEOs and board members
17:30 | Start of program (including presentation, discussion and 3-course dinner)
20:30 | End of formal program, opportunity for informal networking
Language: English
TBD
Former Chief of Defence and international advisor
Tom Middendorp is the former Chief of Defence of the Netherlands and served as the country’s highest-ranking military officer from 2012 to 2017. During his more than 38-year military career, he held various national and international command positions, including during missions in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. Following his departure from the Ministry of Defence, he has focused on the relationship between climate change, security and geopolitics. As the author of The Climate General and Chair of the International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS), he advocates for an integrated approach to global security challenges. He is also a Strategic Security Expert at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS), a Senior Associate Fellow at Clingendael, and a Special Envoy for European defence cooperation. Drawing on his military and strategic experience, he works to raise awareness of the security risks associated with climate change.
Climate change, geopolitical tensions, energy security, technological competition and societal resilience are often approached as separate challenges. In reality, they are becoming increasingly interconnected. Energy dependence can become a geopolitical instrument of power, critical raw material shortages directly affect our industrial competitiveness, and climate change can intensify existing tensions, instability and migration flows. Together, these developments are increasingly forming a single strategic system.
At the same time, the rules of the game are shifting. We are moving from an era of relative stability towards a world in which change and uncertainty are becoming structural features of our reality. Systems designed around efficiency, predictability and interdependence are proving increasingly vulnerable. Strategic resilience, adaptability and the ability to anticipate are therefore becoming ever more important to our economic strength, societal stability and geopolitical position.
The central question is how we can remain resilient and future-ready in a world where security, climate, energy, technology, economics and geopolitics are increasingly converging. Europe’s strategic position and room for manoeuvre are also central to this discussion. How can investments in energy, innovation and resilient supply chains simultaneously strengthen our resilience, competitiveness and strategic autonomy?
During the first Boardroom Dinner of 2027, we will welcome Tom Middendorp, former Chief of Defence of the Netherlands and international advisor at the intersection of climate, geopolitics, security and strategic leadership. Drawing on his extensive international experience, he will offer a sharp perspective on the forces reshaping the world order and the growing interconnectedness of climate security, geopolitics and resilience.
Together, we will explore what these developments mean for leaders and organisations. Where do our vulnerabilities lie, but above all, where do we have room to act? Which strategic choices require vision and courage? And how can business, government and knowledge institutions work together to contribute to a stronger and more resilient Europe?
This evening offers an opportunity to look beyond the pressures of the day and explore the broader strategic landscape. Not only to better understand what lies ahead, but also to determine where we can shape the future ourselves. Future-readiness requires not only adaptation, but also choices, collaboration and the courage to act with foresight.
